Contents- Theriogenology Insight- An International Journal of Reproduction in all Animals

The present study was conducted to predict and analyze signaling pathway of buffalo pregnancy associated glycoprotein-1 in silico. Various databases viz. String database, Panther pathways, Biocarta pathways were used for deducing signaling of buffalo pregnancy associated glycoprotein-1. Analysis reveals buffalo pregnancy associated glycoprotein-1 exerts their biological function by interacting with cytokines viz. placenta growth factor and SP1 transcription factor. Placental growth factor belongs to the vascular endothelial growth factor superfamily. Vascular endothelial growth factor is mainly involved in cellular proliferation, migration, differentiation, angiogenesis acting through protein kinase-C signaling pathway. SP1 transcription factor is mostly involved in mediators of transcription and signal transduction during cellular process acting through the SMAD factors. In toto pregnancy associated glycoprotein-1 through these factors may exert its biological functions of angiogenesis, endothelial cell growth, proliferation, migration and differentiation enhancing embryonic growth and development. In conclusion from this study the signaling pathway of buffalo pregnancy associated glycoprotein-1 (PAG-1) was predicted in silico.

The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of multiple vs. single preovulatory follicle on oocyte quantity and quality and in vitro maturation of goat oocytes. Slaughtered goat ovaries were collected and ranked into 2 types according to the number of preovulatory follicles on their surface: Type I (with multiple preovulatroy follicles, > 2 follicles), Type II (with single preovulatory follicle). The number of goat oocytes retrieved from follicles (2-6 mm Ø) was recorded for each ovarian type. The released immature goat oocytes were scored for cumulus - oocyte cell adhesion into one of 3 grades (C+; cumulus - enclosed oocytes, C+/-; cumulus partially enclosed oocytes, C- ; cumulus - free oocytes). Grade C+ and grade C+/ were matured in tissue culture media (TCM -199) supplemented with 10% Fetal Calf Serum for 30 h in CO2 incubator at 38.5ºC and 95% humidity. The results indicated that a greater number of aspirated oocytes were found in type I than type II. The number of Grade C+ and Grade C+/- oocytes in Type I was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than type II. The in vitro maturation rate of oocytes recovered from goat ovaries was non significantly different in both types but the number of cumulus - full expanded oocytes (CE+) appeared to be higher in ovaries having multiple than single preovulatory follicle. In conclusion, higher quantity, quality and maturation rate of oocytes may produce in multiple preovulatory follicles of goat ovaries.

This study was conduct to evaluate the feasibility of one / two days preserving immature goat oocytes without freezing. Cumulus oocyte complexes (COCs) were obtained from ovaries of slaughtered goats. Selected COCs were kept in tissue culture medium (TCM-199) and 10% Fetal Calf Serum (FCS) and stored at 4°C for 1 or 2 days. After preservation, oocyte morphology and viability were evaluated. Post-warmed stored and Non-stored oocytes were cultured in TCM-199 and 10% FCS in CO2 incubator for 30 h. Oocyte maturation was indicated by cumulus expansion after in vitro culture. Data analysis revealed a high percentage of morphologically normal and viable oocytes after preservation either for 1 or 2 days (70, 60 vs. 60, 50%, respectively) with low percentage of damaged oocytes. There was no significant difference in the maturation of stored oocytes for 1 or 2 days in comparison to fresh oocytes although  the  value  of  the  fresh oocytes was higher (   55, 50 vs. 65%, respectively). Thus, we have developed a simple method for preserving immature goat oocytes by refrigeration at 4°C for two days without evident damage of oocyte and keeping oocyte developmental competence.

Effect of Leukemia Inhibition factor (LIF) on in vitro maturation and fertilization of matured cattle oocytes were tested using frozen thawed semen. Oocytes collected from ovaries of slaughtered cattles were matured at in vitro conditionsand fertilized with frozen thawed semen in the fertilization medium with different LIF concentrations Maturation rate and Fertilization rate for five different bulls was determined. A maximum maturation rate was observed at a LIF concentration of 20 μg/mL while the maximum fertilization rate obtained was also at a LIF concentration of 10 μg/Ml.